Linking Landscape Types to Water Use of Residential Urban Landscapes

Worldwide, residential landscape types have emerged to conserve outdoor water use because of water shortages and the need for environmental sustainability.  Although many reports have mentioned various residential landscape types, none has provided robust classifications for residential landscape types and their associated water requirements.  Our research seeks to classify typical residential urban landscapes and link each landscape type to a water requirement.  The classification theory of our research is based on plant water requirements, and the ratios of landscape elements that need water versus elements that do not.  Nine landscapes in each of the six districts of Las Cruces, New Mexico were selected using purposive sampling.  In each district, the nine samples were divided equally into three categories based on the ratio of landscape area that require irrigation.  Google Earth 4.3, City of Las Cruces online maps, and Microsoft Virtual Earth Beta were used to identify the landscapes.  However, Global Positioning System will be used to draw and accurately identify all landscape elements and areas in each sample.  ArcGIS software will be used to identify the landscape elements and ratios.  Estimation of landscape water requirements will be based on reference evapotranspiration, plant factors, and landscape area.  This classification will help landscape designers and planners identify designs that have specific irrigation requirements.